Friday, 16 May 2014

The Hawthorn Fly or St. Mark's Fly or, under its scientific alias, Bibio marci is a famous fly from the Bibionidae family. These flies are herbivores that scavenge around and feed on dead vegetation or living roots of the plants. They are most commonly seen on sunny Spring days where they hatch in the millions and fly around low to the ground.
There is no need for concern if a flight of Hawthorn Flies arrive in your garden as they neither bite nor sting, they are not a danger to you only your vegetation!
These flies do not like the water but often end up there due to the wind where they are quickly snapped up by hungry trout who can't get enough of them.

A Hawthorn Fly

All of the materials needed to tie this fly are available from Glasgow Angling Centre as listed below, but as always if you need any help finding materials or substitutes then we'll be happy to help. So here's the master himself, tying his version of a Hawthorn Fly with a Detached Body and Parachute.